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RSS feeds for Metal Center News60http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6649/Specialty-Steel-Imports-Up-29-Percent-Through-February.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6649http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6649&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Specialty Steel Imports Up 2.9 Percent Through Februaryhttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6649/Specialty-Steel-Imports-Up-29-Percent-Through-February.aspx
May 30, 2012 U.S. imports of specialty steel totaled 171,093 tons through February, a 2.9 percent increase compared to the first two months of 2011, according to the latest data from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America, Washington, D.C. U.S. consumption was 477,427 tons, a 9.7 percent increase and two-month import penetration was 35.8 percent, a 2.4 percentage point decrease from 2011. The following data represents imports and U.S consumption for the first two months of 2012, compared to the same period in 2011, by specialty steel product line: Stainless steel sheet/strip: Imports were 53,323 tons, a 21.4 percent decrease; U.S. consumption was 273,206 tons, a 1.4 percent increase. Stainless steel plate: Imports were 38,518 tons, a 49.9 percent increase; U.S. consumption was 78,196 tons, a 41.0 percent increase. Stainless steel bar: Imports were 23,890 tons, a 12.6 percent increase; U.S. consumption was 44,428 tons, a 5.2 percent increase. Stainless steel rod: Imports were 4,796 tons, a 2.6 percent increase; U.S. consumption was 11,309 tons, an 11.6 percent decrease. Stainless steel wire: Imports were 7,268 tons, a 3.1 percent decrease; U.S. consumption was 10,017 tons, a 1.5 percent increase. Alloy tool steel: Imports were 24,199 tons, a 29.1 percent increase; U.S. consumption was not calculable. Electrical steel: Imports were 19,099 tons, a 7.2 percent decrease; U.S. consumption was 46,116 tons, a 39.7 percent increase. Wed, 30 May 2012 19:43:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6649http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6648/MSCI-Reports-Increased-Shipments-of-Steel-Aluminum.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6648http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6648&PortalID=51&TabID=2524MSCI Reports Increased Shipments of Steel, Aluminumhttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6648/MSCI-Reports-Increased-Shipments-of-Steel-Aluminum.aspx
May 30, 2012 Service center shipments of steel and aluminum were up in April compared to the same month in 2011, according to the latest Metals Activity Report from the Metals Service Center Institute, Rolling Meadows, Ill. The increases reversed the year-over-year declines experienced in March. U.S. service centers shipped 3.5 million tons of steel products in April, an increase of 6.3 percent vs. April 2011. Year-to-date steel shipments totaled 14.7 million tons, an increase of 6.9 percent from last year. Steel product inventories totaled 9.1 million tons at the end of April, an increase of 11.9 percent from a year ago and an increase of 3.1 percent from March. At April shipping rates, this represented 2.6 months supply in inventory, an increase of 5.3 percent from 2011. Service centers shipped 129,000 tons of aluminum products in April, an increase of 2.5 percent from the same month last year. For the year to date, aluminum shipments totaled 528,100 tons, an increase of 5.2 percent from April 2011. Inventories of aluminum products totaled 376,900 tons at the end of the month, an increase of 4.1 percent compared to the same month last year and 0.8 percent more than March. At April shipping rates, this represented 2.9 months supply in inventory, an increase of 1.5 percent from 2011. Canadian service centers shipped 521,200 tons of steel products in April, an increase of 1.3 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date steel shipments were 2.2 million tons, up 1.1 percent from the same period in 2011. Steel product inventories totaled 1.7 million tons at the end of April, an increase of 11.2 percent from the previous year but down 0.9 percent from March. At April shipping rates, this represented 3.3 months supply in inventory, an increase of 9.8 percent from a year ago. Canadian distributors shipped 13,400 tons of aluminum products in April, an increase of 11.4 percent from the same month in 2011. For the year to date, aluminum shipments totaled 55,200 tons, an increase of 13.5 percent from April 2011. Inventories of aluminum products totaled 35,300 tons at the end of the month, an increase of 17.2 percent from 2011 but down 0.1 percent from March. At April shipping rates, this represented 2.6 months supply in inventory, an increase of 5.2 percent from a year ago. Wed, 30 May 2012 19:40:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6648http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6647/Novelis-Reports-Profit-for-Fiscal-Year-2012.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6647http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6647&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Novelis Reports Profit for Fiscal Year 2012http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6647/Novelis-Reports-Profit-for-Fiscal-Year-2012.aspx
May 30, 2012 Novelis Inc., the world's leading producer of aluminum rolled products, reported net income of $63 million in its 2012 fiscal year, which ended March 31. The figure represented an 84 percent decline compared to fiscal 2011. Excluding tax-effected items, net income for fiscal 2012 was $218 million, representing a 6 percent increase compared to fiscal 2011. Net sales for the fourth quarter totaled $2.6 billion, a decrease of 12 percent compared to the $3.0 billion reported in the same period a year ago, mainly the result of lower volumes and average aluminum prices compared to the same period last year. "Despite economic uncertainty driving slightly lower shipments in fiscal 2012, our solid business model, good cost management and focus on premium products allowed us to report a record EBITDA per ton of $371 for the year," said Phil Martens, Novelis president and CEO, during the company’s quarterly conference call with investors and analysts. Shipments of aluminum rolled products totaled 2,838 kilotons for fiscal 2012, down from 2,969 kilotons for fiscal 2011. The decrease in shipments was primarily a result of customer destocking due to economic uncertainty and continued weakness in the company's electronics business. Shipments of aluminum rolled products totaled 703 kilotons for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, down from 771 kilotons in the fourth quarter of the previous year. "Our operations generated a record $600 million in cash that we used to invest in the business," said Martens. "This is an exciting time for us. All of our major strategic expansions in Brazil, South Korea and the United States are progressing well. In addition, we recently announced our entry into China with a plant that will initially focus on automotive sheet finishing capabilities, solidifying our global automotive leadership position." The company had $516 million in capital investments in 2012. Novelis officials anticipate that number will grow to $650 million or $700 million this fiscal year. "Throughout the year, we also invested significantly in global recycling facilities, with recycling investments in South America, Europe and a future state-of-the-art fully-integrated recycling system in Germany,” Martens said. “Not only will these facilities ensure metal supply, but they also reduce our overall cost base and ensure significant progress towards our goal of achieving 80 percent recycled content in our products by 2020." The company continues to see a market recovery going forward and expects fiscal 2013 adjusted EBITDA to be above fiscal 2012 levels of $1.05 billion. Wed, 30 May 2012 19:38:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6647http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6646/Nucor-to-Acquire-Skyline-Steel.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6646http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6646&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Nucor to Acquire Skyline Steelhttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6646/Nucor-to-Acquire-Skyline-Steel.aspx
May 30, 2012 Nucor Corp., Charlotte, N.C., will purchase Skyline Steel LLC and its subsidiaries from ArcelorMittal. Skyline Steel will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Nucor and will maintain its headquarters in Parsippany, N.J. "We are extremely excited to announce the acquisition of a company that has been a leading partner in growth in piling production for the last 20 years," says Daniel R. DiMicco, chairman and CEO of Nucor. "With its considerable distribution network, excellent customer service and strong technical support, Skyline is well positioned to continue to grow in the piling and foundation products area in North America.” The Skyline organization has been a distributor of Nucor's piling products for more than two decades. Skyline is a significant consumer of H-piling and hot-rolled sheet piling from Nucor-Yamato Steel, and it will become a more prominent downstream consumer of Nucor's coiled plate and sheet products. Skyline Steel is a steel foundation distributor serving the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. It has 21 sales offices and dozens of stocking locations and processing facilities serving such markets as marine construction, bridge and highway construction and heavy civil construction. Wed, 30 May 2012 19:37:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6646http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6645/President-and-CEO-Goldberg-Out-at-Castle.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6645http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6645&PortalID=51&TabID=2524President and CEO Goldberg Out at Castlehttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6645/President-and-CEO-Goldberg-Out-at-Castle.aspx
May 30, 2012 A.M. Castle & Co., one of the nation’s largest service center companies, has made a personnel change at the top. Michael Goldberg is leaving the company, to be replaced on an interim basis by Chief Financial Officer Scott F. Stephens. Goldberg has served as president and CEO of the Oak Brook, Ill.-based specialty metals and plastics distributor since 2006. He also resigned as a director of the company, though he remained with Castle through the end of May to aid the transition to new leadership. “We thank Mike Goldberg for his leadership of A.M. Castle, particularly through extremely challenging economic conditions," says Brian P. Anderson, chairman of the board. A search committee of the board of directors has been created to oversee the process for identifying and selecting the new CEO. The board has engaged Crist/Kolder Associates to assist in completing this process. Candidates from both inside and outside the company will be considered. Stephens has been serving as CFO of Castle since 2008. He will retain that position in addition to assuming the interim CEO duties. "Scott has many years of experience in the distribution industry and was instrumental in the recent acquisition of Tube Supply, a leading distributor of specialty products for the oil and gas industry. He has the full support of the board in his additional role," Anderson said. Wed, 30 May 2012 19:36:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6645http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6644/Russel-Acquires-Alberta-Service-Center.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6644http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6644&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Russel Acquires Alberta Service Centerhttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6644/Russel-Acquires-Alberta-Service-Center.aspx
May 30, 2012 Russel Metals Inc., Mississauga, Ont., will acquire Alberta Industrial Metals Ltd., a metals distribution and processing service center located in Red Deer, Alberta. The $30 million acquisition includes the operating assets, land and buildings. "Alberta Industrial Metals is a market leader in their region and their cut-to-length processing capabilities complement our Alberta operations,” says Brian Hedges, president and CEO of Russel Metals. The current management team will continue to lead Alberta Industrial Metals. "We will integrate our Russel Metals operations in Red Deer with Alberta Industrial Metals, and the combined talents of the two operations will enable us to provide customers with a complete range of products,” says John Reid, Russel’s vice president of service center operations. Wed, 30 May 2012 19:34:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6644http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6642/RG-Steel-to-Idle-All-Three-Mills.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6642http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6642&PortalID=51&TabID=2524RG Steel to Idle All Three Millshttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6642/RG-Steel-to-Idle-All-Three-Mills.aspx
May 30, 2012 RG Steel, which formed 14 months ago with the purchase of three struggling domestic steelmaking facilities, has announced plans to idle all of them. The flat-rolled producer will curtail production at facilities in Sparrows Point, Md.; Warren, Ohio; and Wheeling, W.Va., as a result of a liquidity crisis. The idling report followed shortly on the heels of RG’s announcement that it was considering the sale of one or all of its facilities. Company officials claim that potential buyers have expressed interest in RG’s assets. Layoffs were expected to begin in June. The company issued a warning of layoffs due to “continued uncertainty regarding the outcome of discussions with our lenders to sustain business operations.” The Renco Group bought the three steel mills in March 2011 from Severstal, creating the nation’s fourth-largest steelmaker. But funding troubles have plagued the company almost from the outset, resulting in off-and-on operations. Industry officials and analysts have been skeptical of RG’s plans, expressing doubt about whether the domestic industry could support the increased capacity of RG bringing the facilities—two of which were idled at the time of the purchase—back on line. How much the recent announcement will affect the steel market is uncertain. Michelle Applebaum of Steel Market Intelligence says that “while capacity reductions in the domestic market are great news, overall the malaise in steel is really coming from China, so production cuts in the U.S. won’t likely be sufficient to stem the tide of declining prices.” Wed, 30 May 2012 19:32:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6642http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6463/ThyssenKrupp-Puts-Carbon-Mills-on-the-Market.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6463http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6463&PortalID=51&TabID=2524ThyssenKrupp Puts Carbon Mills on the Markethttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6463/ThyssenKrupp-Puts-Carbon-Mills-on-the-Market.aspx
May 16, 2012 Germany’s ThyssenKrupp has acknowledged it is seeking a buyer for its new carbon steel plants in the United States and Brazil. Company officials reported that they are “examining strategic options” for their Steel Americas plants in Rio de Janeiro and Mobile, Ala. Calling Steel Americas the company’s “biggest challenge,” Heinrich Hiesinger, executive board chairman for ThyssenKrupp AG, said: “We continue to believe that both plants will hold leading positions in their respective markets in terms of technology and conversion costs. But since the plans for the project were made, the economic parameters in both Brazil and the USA have changed from our original assumptions. There are clear reasons that now call this strategy into question. We therefore have to examine whether it still makes sense strategically to operate the two plants in a common integrated network.” ThyssenKrupp’s strategy in 2007 was to build state-of-the-art plants in Brazil and America’s South. Low-cost slabs would be produced in Brazil and shipped to the U.S., where they would be processed and sold at a premium to the NAFTA market. The timing was unfortunate, however, as the U.S. economy plunged into recession a year later, and its recovery continues to lag. Brazil, in the meantime, has seen strong economic growth, and along with it corresponding increases in the cost of labor, inflation, currency and steelmaking raw materials. “Due to slow demand, it will probably only be possible to achieve the price premiums on the U.S. market both now and in the medium term with specific steel grades and in specific sectors [such as automotive],” Hiesinger said. “But for the products manufactured for other sectors and distributed through service centers, intense competition leaves virtually no scope for differentiation.” “The viability of an integrated strategy with slab production in Brazil and high-margin marketing in the USA is therefore exposed to considerable risks. That is why the executive board has decided to investigate strategic options in all directions for both plants,” he said, including partnerships or individual sales. Speculating on potential suitors in her Steel Market Intelligence newsletter, analyst Michelle Applebaum noted that a slab-making operation in Brazil might make good economic sense for the Chinese. Nucor is another logical buyer or joint-venture partner for the Alabama mill. Likewise, U.S. Steel is an excellent fit, she said, though the company currently may not have the cash to invest in their own upstream operations to provide the semifinished steel that the TK mill needs. Meanwhile, ThyssenKrupp will push ahead with the ramp up of the two plants, which it expects to complete by year’s end. The Brazil plant produced about 1.7 million tons of high-quality slabs in the first half of the current fiscal year, while the Mobile plant shipped 1.4 million tons to steel customers. But the company reportedly suffered an operating loss of about $659 million in first-half 2012. Earlier this year, ThyssenKrupp sold its stainless steel operation to Outokumpu of Finland for $3.6 billion. The stainless business, now called Inoxum, operates part of the company’s steel mill in Mobile. Wed, 16 May 2012 16:27:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6463http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6455/Brass-Mill-Imports-Exports-Fall-in-March.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6455http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6455&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Brass Mill Imports, Exports Fall in Marchhttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6455/Brass-Mill-Imports-Exports-Fall-in-March.aspx
May 16, 2012 U.S. imports and exports of brass mill products fell in March compared with the corresponding 2011 period, according to the latest report from the Copper and Brass Fabricators Council, Washington, D.C. Imports of brass mill products in March totaled 43.5 million pounds, down from 44.0 million pounds in March 2011, a decrease of 0.9 percent. Exports totaled 21.2 million pounds in March, down from 24.0 million during the same month last year, an 11.7 percent decrease. For the year to date through March, imports of brass mill products totaled 119.5 million pounds, an increase of 4.3 percent from 2011. Exports for the first quarter totaled 59.4 million pounds, 2.1 percent better than the first three months of last year. Canada was the leading destination for U.S. exports of brass mill products in March at 7.2 million pounds, followed by Mexico at 6.8 million pounds, China at 1.4 million pounds, Saudi Arabia at 929,338 pounds and South Korea at 607,343 pounds. Imports from Germany in March totaled 9.7 million pounds, followed by South Korea at 5.6 million pounds, Mexico at 4.4 million pounds, China at 3.8 million pounds and Canada at 3.7 million pounds. Imports of all copper and brass sheet, strip, plate and foil products totaled 13.6 million pounds, while exports of those products totaled 8.2 million pounds. Imports of all pipe and tube products totaled 13.3 million pounds, while pipe and tube exports totaled 5.7 million pounds. Imports of all profiles, rods and bars totaled 13,166,253 pounds, while exports totaled 5,326,160 pounds. Imports of copper alloy wire totaled 3,409,249 pounds, while exports totaled 2,006,746 pounds. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:29:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6455http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6454/Steel-Exports-Decline-in-March.aspx#Comments1http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6454http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6454&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Steel Exports Decline in Marchhttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6454/Steel-Exports-Decline-in-March.aspx
May 16, 2012 U.S. steel exports declined modestly in March compared to the previous month, according to the latest data from the American Institute for International Steel, Falls Church, Va., which represents foreign producers. Exports declined 0.6 percent to 1.2 million tons in March, though they remained 6.4 percent ahead of the same month in 2011. “Exports declined in March as exports to the NAFTA region slowed. Exports to the rest of the Western Hemisphere advanced slightly, as did exports to Asia, with increases in exports to China and Taiwan particularly notable in March,” says David Phelps, president of AIIS. The slower rate of shipments to the NAFTA region is consistent with the pause experienced throughout the NAFTA markets late in the first quarter. Current conditions indicate steel demand growth in the NAFTA region will remain subdued for the time being, Phelps says. For the first three months of the year, U.S. exports were up 17 percent to 3.7 million tons. “An optimistic sign for U.S. steel exports is that, notwithstanding the significant decline in exports to Asia, demand for high quality U.S. steel has exhibited strength in both NAFTA and other Western Hemisphere markets. Continued economic growth in these important developing country markets gives reason for optimism for U.S. steel exports,” Phelps says. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:26:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6454http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6453/Canada-Investigates-Dumping-Allegations-on-Welded-Pipe.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6453http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6453&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Canada Investigates Dumping Allegations on Welded Pipehttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6453/Canada-Investigates-Dumping-Allegations-on-Welded-Pipe.aspx
May 16, 2012 The Canada Border Services Agency is launching investigations into claims of injurious dumping of certain carbon steel welded pipe from Chinese Taipei, India, Oman, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The CBSA is also investigating claims of subsidizing of carbon steel welded pipe from India, Oman and the UAE. The investigations follow a complaint filed by Novamerican Steel Inc. of Montreal and Bolton Steel Tube Co. Ltd. of Bolton, Ont. The complainants allege that the dumping and subsidizing of these goods are harming Canadian production by causing price suppression, lost market share, lost sales, reduced capacity utilization, reduced profits and reduction in employment. The Canadian International Trade Tribunal will begin an injury inquiry to determine whether the imports are harming Canadian producers, and will render its preliminary findings on July 13. While the tribunal is examining the question of injury, the border services agency will launch a preliminary investigation into whether the imports are being dumped or subsidized, and will make a preliminary decision by Aug. 13. If the tribunal determines that an unusually large increase in harmful imports occurred prior to the border services agency’s decision, and that the retroactive application of antidumping or countervailing duty is therefore justified, duty could be levied on the goods brought into Canada as of the date the investigation was launched. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:24:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6453http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6452/SSINA-Fears-Surge-of-Electrical-Steel-Imports.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6452http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6452&PortalID=51&TabID=2524SSINA Fears Surge of Electrical Steel Importshttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6452/SSINA-Fears-Surge-of-Electrical-Steel-Imports.aspx
May 16, 2012 The Specialty Steel Industry of North America, Washington, D.C., has expressed concern about surging imports of grain-oriented electrical steel. "Official U.S. government statistics reveal that during the first three months of 2012, imports of grain-oriented electrical steel surged dramatically," says counsel David A. Hartquist, an international trade lawyer. SSINA claims that annualizing March data for full year 2012 would result in a 38 percent increase in imports over 2011 by value, and a similar 38 percent increase over 2011 in quantity. If the trend continues through 2012, it would represent a 340 percent increase in tons over 2009. Imports from Japan, Poland, Korea and the Czech Republic are of particular concern, Hartquist says. The surge from Japan initially occurred in 2010, then moderated slightly in 2011 before once again increasing in 2012. An analysis in 2011 revealed dumping by Japanese producers, SSINA claims. U.S. producers are now reviewing 2012 data. Surges in grain-oriented electrical steel shipments from Korea, Poland and the Czech Republic have occurred more recently and are under review, according to the association. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:23:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6452http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6451/Evraz-Invests-in-Canadian-Heat-Treat-Plants.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6451http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6451&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Evraz Invests in Canadian Heat-Treat Plantshttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6451/Evraz-Invests-in-Canadian-Heat-Treat-Plants.aspx
May 16, 2012 Evraz North America will invest in the heat-treat operations at its Calgary and Red Deer, Alberta, tubular facilities. The Calgary project is intended to expand heat-treat capacity there by more than 150 percent. Evraz will also double capacity of the premium threading line it completed at the Red Deer facility earlier this year, further expanding its premium connections offering. "We are pleased to immediately begin the engineering projects, which will enable us to more efficiently and quickly meet our customers' existing product needs," says Tigran Atayan, executive vice president-Tubular Products Group for Evraz North America. The additional capacity will position Evraz to meet growing demands in the oil country tubular goods market and offer a more comprehensive product portfolio, including all sizes of carbon and alloy casing. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:21:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6451http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6450/Gerdau-Upgrades-Monroe-Facility.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6450http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6450&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Gerdau Upgrades Monroe Facilityhttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6450/Gerdau-Upgrades-Monroe-Facility.aspx
May 16, 2012 Gerdau will spend an additional $21.6 million to increase straightening and quality inspection capabilities at its special bar quality steel facility in Monroe, Mich. The investment includes a new bar straightening unit, surface inspection equipment and automatic ultrasonic inspection equipment for testing internal cleanliness, all of which will be housed in a new building. "This project supports the reinforcement and expansion of our leading SBQ position and confirms our commitment to significant capital investment in North America," says Andre B. Gerdau Johannpeter, CEO of the Brazilian steelmaker. This additional expansion is part of Gerdau's ongoing capital investment program launched in May 2010 to expand the Monroe mill's capability and bring production capacity to more than 800,000 short tons per year. Upgrades are being made in the melt shop where Gerdau is installing a continuous caster, to be operational in June. A new vacuum degasser is expected to begin operations in 2013. Major improvements to Monroe's existing rolling mill facilities are also under way, including the installation of six additional rolling mill stands and a new walking beam reheat furnace. Monroe's overall capital project will be completed by the second half of 2013. "We are expanding our capabilities to meet the growing demands of our customers so we can continue to be their supplier of choice," says Jack Finlayson, president of Gerdau Special Steel North America. The investment shows "both our commitment to Monroe and our strength in the industry,” he added. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:19:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6450http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6449/Russels-First-Quarter-Results-Match-1Q-2011.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6449http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6449&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Russel’s First-Quarter Results Match 1Q 2011http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6449/Russels-First-Quarter-Results-Match-1Q-2011.aspx
May 16, 2012 Russel Metals Inc., Mississauga, Ont., reported first-quarter net earnings of $33 million, matching its 2011 performance. Earnings improved 13.7 percent from fourth-quarter 2011. Russel’s net sales totaled $802.9 million during the first quarter, an increase of 22.1 percent compared to the previous year and 12.6 percent better than the previous quarter. Revenues in the company’s metals service center segment increased 18 percent to $428 million in the first quarter. Service center volumes were up 14 percent compared to first-quarter 2011 and 16 percent compared to the previous quarter. Operating profit as a percentage of revenues improved to 7.5 percent from 5.7 percent in the fourth quarter last year. “Operating profit for the first quarter in our metals service center segment was generated by strong demand levels, unlike the comparable first quarter of 2011 that experienced inventory-holding gains. The growth in the first quarter reflects a continued healthy recovery in the industrial segment of the North American economy. In Canada, the western provinces were buoyed by high oil prices, which led to a stronger recovery compared to the eastern provinces,” said President and CEO Brian Hedges. Revenues in the company’s energy tubular products segment increased 23 percent from a year ago to $275 million. Increased volume as a result of large line pipe orders improved operating profits to $19 million. Strong demand was also experienced in Russel’s steel distributors segment, which had a 42 percent increase in 2012 first-quarter revenues to $99 million. Operating profits for the first quarter of 2012 increased by $1 million to $10 million compared to first-quarter 2011. In other news, Russel Metals completed the acquisition of Siemens Laserworks Inc., a value-added laser processing company with facilities in western Canada. The $27.5 million acquisition includes facilities in Saskatoon and Edmonton. Siemens Laserworks will operate under its trade name, as a division of Russel Metals Inc. The entire management team will remain in place, led by Shawn Henschel, the current president and CEO. "We are extremely pleased to add Siemens Laserworks to our prairie service center operations. The opportunity to add a market leader in our core service center segment fits perfectly with our goal of acquiring well-run market leaders,” Hedges said. Wed, 16 May 2012 15:18:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6449http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6448/Olympic-Reports-Record-First-Quarter-Revenue.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6448http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6448&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Olympic Reports Record First-Quarter Revenuehttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6448/Olympic-Reports-Record-First-Quarter-Revenue.aspx
May 16, 2012 Cleveland-based Olympic Steel saw record revenue in the first quarter totaling $382.1 million, an increase of 29.8 percent compared to first-quarter 2011, the company reported during its quarterly conference call. The revenue increase was largely due to the July 2011 acquisition of Chicago Tube and Iron Co. Olympic’s first-quarter net income totaled $6.2 million, down from $10.3 million in last year's first quarter, however. CTI's pipe and tube sales contributed $65.4 million of Olympic's first-quarter revenue and $6.4 million of the company's $12.3 million in operating income for the quarter. Olympic's flat product sales accounted for $316.6 million of total revenues, an 8.4 percent increase over first-quarter 2011, and $5.8 million in operating income, a 66.4 percent decrease from the prior-year period. "Our first-quarter results and record sales benefited from sequentially improved flat-rolled performance from the fourth quarter of 2011, and an outstanding performance in the pipe and tube segment. Our pipe and tube business has delivered consistently strong financial results since CTI's acquisition," said Michael Siegal, Olympic chairman and CEO. The company also has executed well on its previously announced strategic capital investments, including the successful startup of its third temper mill in Gary, Ind., which began delivering tempered sheet to customers in the first quarter, Siegal said. "We look forward to growing our business levels there to its 150,000-ton annual capacity in the upcoming quarters." Wed, 16 May 2012 15:12:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6448http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6260/Copper-Brass-Shipments-Dip-in-March.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6260http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6260&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Copper, Brass Shipments Dip in Marchhttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6260/Copper-Brass-Shipments-Dip-in-March.aspx
May 2, 2012 Warehouse shipments of copper and brass products were down 8.1 percent in March compared to the same month the previous year, according to the Copper and Brass Servicenter Association, Overland Park, Kansas. Distributors shipped 23.3 million pounds during the month, compared to 25.5 million pounds in March 2011. The shipments were off 1.6 percent from February’s total of 24.0 million pounds. Copper shipments decreased 5.6 percent in March from a year ago to 10.6 million pounds. Alloy shipments saw a 10.1 percent drop to 12.8 million pounds. Compared to February, total copper shipments were down 4.7 percent, while alloy shipments were up 1.2 percent. For the year to date, total copper shipments were up 6.4 percent to 32.6 million pounds, and alloy shipments were down 1.5 percent to 38.3 million pounds. Total warehouse shipments remained ahead of last year’s pace, up 2.0 percent compared to the first three months of 2010. Among product lines, 200 series brass plate and other plate saw the biggest year-over-year gains in March, up 49.9 and 93.8 percent, respectively. Copper pipe, up 12.1 percent, was the only other product to show a gain in March compared to the previous year. The biggest decline was experienced in copper plate, which fell 39.6 percent to 541,000 pounds. Wed, 02 May 2012 17:54:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6260http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6259/PMI-Expands-for-33rd-Straight-Month.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6259http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6259&PortalID=51&TabID=2524PMI Expands for 33rd Straight Monthhttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6259/PMI-Expands-for-33rd-Straight-Month.aspx
May 2, 2012 Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in April for the 33rd consecutive month as the PMI registered 54.8 percent, an increase of 1.4 percentage points from the March survey of purchasing executives, reports the Institute for Supply Management, Tempe, Ariz. Sixteen of the 18 industries reflected overall growth in April, and the New Orders, Production and Employment Indexes all increased, indicating growth at faster rates than in March. “Comments from the panel generally indicate stable to strong demand, with some concerns cited over increasing oil prices and European stability,” said Bradley J. Holcomb, chairman of ISM’s Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting. A PMI in excess of 42.6 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the PMI indicates growth for the 35th consecutive month in the overall economy, as well as expansion in the manufacturing sector, Holcomb said. The average PMI for January through April (53.7 percent) corresponds to a 3.8 percent increase in real GDP. In addition, if the PMI for April (54.8 percent) is annualized, it corresponds to a 4.1 percent increase in real GDP. Wed, 02 May 2012 17:53:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6259http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6258/Steel-Exports-Above-2011-Levels-Through-February.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6258http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6258&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Steel Exports Above 2011 Levels Through Februaryhttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6258/Steel-Exports-Above-2011-Levels-Through-February.aspx
May 2, 2012 U.S. steel exports declined 4 percent in February 2012 vs. January, but remained above 2011 levels for the year, according to government data and the American Institute for International Steel, Falls Church, Va., which represents foreign producers. Total steel exports in February were 1.2 million tons, down from 1.3 million tons the previous month. While several countries’ purchases of American-made steel registered strong increases in February, including Brazil and Venezuela, major export markets registered declines on a month-to-month basis. Exports to NAFTA and on the whole the rest of the Western Hemisphere and Asia all showed declines. “Following the small decline in December to January, it can be speculated that improved U.S. market conditions during the first quarter kept more steel at home in February, too, but we will see if this trend continues as we move through 2012,” says David Phelps, AIIS president. U.S. steel exports in February were up 27.3 percent compared to February 2011. For the year to date, steel exports totaled 2.5 million tons, a 23 percent increase compared to 2011. “We are encouraged that, notwithstanding the pause in February compared to January, the trend remains positive in 2012 as many countries’ economies continue to improve coming out of the recession and fast-growing developing counties buy more American-made steel,” Phelps says. Wed, 02 May 2012 17:52:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6258http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6257/Aluminum-Making-Gains-in-Auto-Holding-Firm-in-Aerospace.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6257http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6257&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Aluminum Making Gains in Auto, Holding Firm in Aerospacehttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6257/Aluminum-Making-Gains-in-Auto-Holding-Firm-in-Aerospace.aspx
May 2, 2012 The long-term prognosis for the aluminum market is quite promising, say the leaders of the Aluminum Association. And not all of that optimism is because of its market share gains in automotive. Aluminum’s existing growth in automotive, and the expectations of more to come, remains one of the industry’s biggest success stories. As auto manufacturers continue to seek ways to take weight out of their vehicles, aluminum’s attractiveness increases. The amount of aluminum in a typical vehicle is expected to double by 2020. But, in a conference call during the association’s spring meeting, officials said there are other reasons for a healthy outlook. Aluminum’s portion of the aerospace market, itself threatened by other materials hoping to gain share, is holding its ground nicely, said Thomas Brackman, chairman of the Aluminum Association’s board of directors. “Both Airbus and Boeing have announced programs that are going to be heavy with aluminum. That’s a big deal because it sets aluminum up for the next period of time while the planes are further developed and keeps composites at bay,” said Brackman, the president of Lincolnshire, Ill.-based Nichols Aluminum. He said the aerospace portion of the business has done an effective job of showing the value the material brings to the market. In addition to the growing commercial airplane market, demand is expected to climb for smaller aircraft, particularly in emerging economies. “We really think the aerospace trend will continue. Overall, for aluminum, it’s a smaller percentage of total demand, but it’s a very visible symbol of how technologically advanced the product is,” he said. Another significant market for the material is construction, where sheet shipments fell 5 percent in 2011 from already low numbers. But the association sees signs that the market is starting to turn. “Housing starts were up for the first two months. There’s cautious optimism that will stick and not be a false start,” Brackman said. Even if the rebound doesn’t start this year, it can’t be far off. “We’re continuing to grow populations and households in the U.S.,” he said. “At some point, these folks have to live somewhere.” On another note, association officials said there remains work to be done on the recycling front. While many think the issue of recycling is settled, recent studies indicate that ongoing educational efforts are needed on such basic features as bin availability, drop-off points and other routine questions. And with state and local governments operating with very lean budgets, much of that education is going missing. “There are actually material industries that would like to get more of this stuff back, but can’t. Every single industry would take more back, and I don’t think the public understands that,” said Stephen Gardner, vice president of communications for the association. Wed, 02 May 2012 17:51:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6257http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6256/Timken-Launches-225-Million-Faircrest-Expansion.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6256http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6256&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Timken Launches $225 Million Faircrest Expansionhttp://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6256/Timken-Launches-225-Million-Faircrest-Expansion.aspx
May 2, 2012 Timken has broken ground on a $225 million expansion of its Faircrest steel plant in Stark County, Ohio. The investment by the specialty alloy steel and industrial components manufacturer is expected to improve the Faircrest plant's productivity, expand its product range and increase capacity to serve growing demand for Timken specialty alloy steel bars. A new ladle refiner and large-bloom continuous caster are the centerpieces of the steel plant expansion. Targeted for startup in 2014, the new equipment is expected to increase the Faircrest plant's shippable capacity by 25 percent and enable the production of a broader range of large-diameter bars. "Demand for Timken steel to support the challenging needs of energy and industrial applications continues to grow in this region, throughout the United States and in the developing economies of the world," says Chairman Ward J. "Tim" Timken, Jr. "We're heartened by the support we've received from the Timken team, customers, suppliers and our elected officials in bringing this project to our official launch," says Tom Moline, vice president of steel manufacturing. Additionally, Timken has completed installation of a $5 million ultrasonic test inspection line at Faircrest, which allows full body inspection for bar diameters ranging from 6 to 24 inches and for lengths up to 35 feet. The UT line allows for the inspection of the internal volume and the surface of bar products for defects. It also helps characterize the “center soundness” of bars. “The UT line is an important tool in our efforts to further improve the high quality of our large-bar product,” says Moline. “The UT line enhances our position as a premiere large bar producer in North America and expands our capabilities to meet demanding ultrasonic specifications.” Wed, 02 May 2012 17:50:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6256http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6255/Castles-Quarterly-Sales-Highest-Since-4Q-2008.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6255http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6255&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Castle's Quarterly Sales Highest Since 4Q 2008http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6255/Castles-Quarterly-Sales-Highest-Since-4Q-2008.aspx
May 2, 2012 A.M. Castle & Co., Oak Brook, Ill., improved upon its fourth-quarter performance, but still reported a loss during its first quarter. The distributor of specialty metal and plastic products reported net sales of $362.9 million and a net loss of $4.3 million in first-quarter 2012, compared to net sales of $282.9 million and a net loss of $12.0 million during fourth-quarter 2011. Compared to the same quarter of 2011, net sales were up 33 percent, though Castle reported a net income of $2.7 million a year ago. “Sales volume was strong for the quarter, reflecting continued improvement in demand within several key end-use markets, with energy and oil and gas leading the way followed by general industrial markets,” said President and CEO Michael Goldberg during the company’s quarterly conference call with investors and analysts. The company’s average tons sold per day, excluding its Tube Supply acquisition, was the highest since the fourth quarter of 2008. Consolidated gross material margins of 27.3 percent were also the highest the company has enjoyed since the fourth quarter of 2010. In the Metals segment, first-quarter net sales of $331.9 million were $87.3 million, or 35.7 percent, higher than last year. Metals segment tons sold per day, excluding Tube Supply, for the first quarter of 2012 were up 9.3 percent from the first quarter of 2011 and 4.5 percent from the fourth quarter of 2011. In the Plastics segment, first-quarter net sales of $31.0 million were $2.8 million, or 9.9 percent, higher than the prior-year period, reflecting increased pricing and improved demand across virtually all end-use markets, most notably in the automotive sector. In December, A. M. Castle & Co. acquired Tube Supply, a leading value-added distributor of specialty tubular and bar products for the oil and gas industry, based in Houston, Texas. Tube Supply provides high-quality products and services primarily to the North American oilfield equipment manufacturing industry. Tube Supply operates two service centers, which are located in Houston, Texas, and Edmonton, Alberta. The results of Tube Supply are included in the company’s Metals segment. Tube Supply had net sales of $59.8 million for the quarter ended March 31. Wed, 02 May 2012 17:48:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6255http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6254/Ryerson-Opening-Service-Center-in-DeKalb-Ill.aspx#Comments0http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=2524&ModuleID=13831&ArticleID=6254http://www.metalcenternews.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6254&PortalID=51&TabID=2524Ryerson Opening Service Center in DeKalb, Ill.http://www.metalcenternews.com/Editorial/CurrentIssue/CurrentNews/tabid/2524/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6254/Ryerson-Opening-Service-Center-in-DeKalb-Ill.aspx
May 2, 2012 Chicago-based Ryerson, one of the nation’s largest service center companies, will open a new bar processing depot and full-line service center in DeKalb, Ill. The 150,000-square-foot facility is expected to begin operations in June. “This new facility is a platform for serving our customers’ growing demand for the bar market in the Midwest. The expanded capabilities combined with the strategic location and logistical access to suppliers and customers, will allow us to remain a leading source to serve our customers,” says Michael Burbach, president of Ryerson Midwest. “The new DeKalb location will complement the existing full-line facilities in Burns Harbor, Ind., and St. Louis by improving our service to customers in the center of Illinois and increasing our breadth of inventory in bar to all customers,” says Jeff Redfield, general manager of Ryerson Illinois/Missouri. This investment follows Ryerson’s recent opening of a plate processing facility in Eldridge, Iowa. Wed, 02 May 2012 17:47:00 GMTf1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6254